Treat yourself to a custom "Emotional Support Candy" Jar made with Ikonart!
I don't know about you, but once in a while, something sweet just seems to help after an emotional day. As a helpful way to organize my favorite treats (to eat when I'm feeling down), I decided to add a funny "Emotional Support Candy" phrase to a glass storage jar. You could use vinyl, but a a custom stencil made with the Ikonart kit doesn't require any weeding and is SO easy! Plus, you can reuse the stencil to add the design to as many jars as you want - which is great for gifting, small businesses, and so much more. I'm also sharing the design here in the post so that you can make your own "Emotional Support Candy" Jar!
New to making reusable stencils? Here's how to Get Started with Ikonart!
To make your own DIY "Emotional Support Candy" Jar, you will need these supplies:
- "Emotional Support Candy" Design (for personal use only)
- Glass Storage Jar
- Ikonart Custom Stencil Kit
- Multi-Surface Acrylic Paint
- Chalk Paint Powder
- Squeegee
*Save 15% on Ikonart supplies when you shop with code AFM15
Printables and cut files from Artsy-Fartsy Mama are for personal use only. You may use these files for personal projects, but you may not sell them. If you'd like to share this project digitally, share a link to this post/website only. Do not share a direct link to the file.
To make a stencil, you need to start with a printed design. Download the "Emotional Support Candy" Stencil Design (for personal use only) and print the design as dark as possible on either inkjet or laser Ikonart Printer Film.
The next step in the process is exposing the stencil film. Set up the exposure stand with UV LED Light by following the directions included in the kit. Ikonart Stencil Film is light sensitive, so be careful to keep it out of sunlight and bright lights before exposure. Cut a piece of the film the same size as the design print.
Lay the piece of film down on the base of the stand with the textured side facing up. Place the printed design on top of the stencil film, making sure it's right-side up - meaning that you should be able to read the words printed on the design.
Lastly, place the clear exposure sheet (found in the stencil film pack) on top and press it down well to seal the design tight against the stencil film. Turn the exposure light on and expose the film for 35 seconds.
The final step in the stencil-making process is to washout, or rinse, the stencil. Clip the exposed stencil film to the Ikonart clipboard with the shiny side (carrier sheet) touching the clipboard. Use the kitchen sink or shower sprayer to rinse the stencil film with warm water until the design* shows through and becomes completely clear. The washout process shouldn't take more than 3-5 minutes.
Gently blot the excess water from the stencil, and hang or lay the stencil flat to dry for about 45 minutes. When the stencil is dry, you shouldn't see any water spots or discoloration. Once the stencil is completely dried, place the it back on the exposure stand and expose it again for at least 2 minutes without the clear cover sheet. This extra exposure time will increase the durability of the stencil so you can get as much use out of it as possible. On the clear backing of your stencil, write the word "BACK" with a permanent marker.
*Tip: arrange multiple designs on the stencil film to create a lot more stencils at one time!
Remove the clear backing from the stencil and center the design on the front of the jar. Once the stencil is in place, rub it down well to get rid of any air bubbles.
Add a thin line of white multi-surface acrylic paint on one side of the stencil, and use the squeegee to lightly pull the paint over the stencil. Make sure all of the open mesh spaces of the stencil are covered evenly, and be careful to not go off the edges of the stencil. Scrape away any excess paint and put it back into the paint bottle.
*For best results, thicken acrylic paint with Chalk Paint Powder.
Slowly pull the stencil away to reveal the design. If you see any spots that you may have missed before completely removing the stencil, you can carefully lay the stencil back down and add a little more paint. Slowly peel the stencil up again, and repeat as necessary.
If you notice that there was bleeding or mess-ups after removing the stencil, don't panic. Wet paint can be washed off immediately so that you can redo the stenciling or fix any mistakes. Wash the stencil (see below) before fixing the project so that the paint doesn't dry over the stencil mesh. If the paint dries on the stencil, it can make it hard to clean and reuse it.
Once you are happy with the stenciled design, allow the paint on the jar to dry completely. Wash the stencil well following the instructions below.
Washing Stencils:
For best results, wash stencils while the paint is still wet. To wash your stencil so that it can be used again and again, first get the clipboard wet so your stencil doesn't stick to it. Place the stencil on the clipboard with the textured side up, and lightly rub the stencil under cold running water to remove all the paint.
Do not rub or scrub the adhesive side of the stencil, and NEVER use anything other than water to wash the stencils. To prevent the stencil from breaking down, don't ever leave the stencils to soak.
Remove the stencil from the clipboard and lay it down with the adhesive side up. While the stencil is still wet, place the carrier sheet onto the stencil so that the word “BACK” is readable. Hang or lay the stencil flat to dry completely.
Now you can fill the jar with your favorite "Emotional Support Candy"! This jar will look great on an office desk, and would also make a fun gift idea for teachers, co-workers, and more. I'd love to hear what you think about this project, or if you want to know more about Ikonart stencils. If you've made your own stenciled projects, I'm dying to see your creations! Share them on Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment/photo on the project pin on Pinterest! #AFMCrafts
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